Foundations of the U.S. Health Care System
- HealthXcelerate
Group Enrollment Option Popular with companies and institutions for team-wide training.
Start Today Register and begin immediately.
Gain an overview of the defining features of the U.S. health care system including structure, financing, and stakeholders.
- Online; Self-Paced
Enroll and gain access to course materials to complete at your own pace.
$495
Save and learn more with discounted multi‑course bundles or our all‑access HMX and HealthXcelerate Learning Pass.
Certificate
Earn a short course certificate of completion when you finish all coursework within 8 weeks.
3-4 Hours
Most people can expect to complete short courses in 3-4 hours.
On This Page
Overview
In Foundations of the U.S. Health Care System, led by Bruce Landon, MD, MBA, MSc, you will gain an overview of the defining features of the U.S. health care system, including structure, financing, and stakeholders.
By exploring the origins and implications of employer-sponsored health care, you will see the challenges and trade-offs of access, cost, and quality. During this course, you will also discover how the U.S. system compares to international systems in terms of health outcomes, costs, payment models, and price regulations.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the main characteristics and historical evolution of the U.S. health care system in a global context.
- Compare the health outcomes of U.S. health care with other developed countries.
- Learn about the causes and impacts of rising health care costs in the United States.
- Examine the financing mechanisms of the U.S. health care system, including sources of funding, insurance models, and payment systems.
- Understand the significant advances and persistent challenges in the U.S. health care system.
Who Should Participate
Health care professionals throughout the industry seeking better understanding of the health care system
What Will You Gain
A confident working knowledge of how the U.S. system is structured, financed, and governed
An understanding of the core trade-offs between cost, access, and quality
A global lens for placing U.S. performance and challenges in broader context
Insight into industry and academic perspectives on the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the sector
About the Course
HealthXcelerate courses offer a foundational, 360‑degree view of the health care ecosystem, drawing on the expertise of Harvard Medical School faculty and industry leaders. With a focus on the patient experience, the curriculum explores how the U.S. system compares with those of other countries, how clinical care connects to the broader health care industry, and how patients navigate and influence the system. Learners who complete HealthXcelerate courses build fluency and credibility in communicating key issues, critically assessing barriers to quality and access, and identifying opportunities for leadership and innovation.
Who Should Participate
This program will benefit industry and clinical leaders across the health care ecosystem; research and innovation managers with increasing global responsibility; entrepreneurs and consultants; business and technology professionals who work closely with health care organizations; and those transitioning into the health care space.
Extend Your Learning and Save More
Whether you are building your medical science knowledge, preparing for advanced study, or expanding your understanding of the health care ecosystem, combining courses helps you connect concepts across disciplines while saving on enrollment.
You can bundle up to five HMX or HealthXcelerate courses. Bundle discounts apply to all courses selected. A bundle can consist of courses in the same upcoming enrollment period or the following enrollment period.
Two-course bundle: 25% discount
Three-course bundle: 30% discount
Four-course bundle: 35% discount
Five-course bundle: 40% discount
View all bundle-eligible programs
Multi-course discounts will be changing on October 1, 2026. Register now and lock in these savings by bundling multiple courses.
With the HMX and HealthXcelerate Learning Pass, a $4,950 investment unlocks one year of unlimited enrollment to Harvard Medical School's portfolio of HMX and HealthXcelerate online courses, empowering you to advance your knowledge of health care and medical science in the areas that matter most to your goals. Start Learning
HMX and HealthXcelerate courses are ideal for organizations looking to train teams or larger groups. Group pricing is available, making it a cost-effective investment in team development.
Faculty Leads
Each course within the HealthXcelerate program features Harvard Medical School faculty and leading experts in the field.
Bruce E. Landon
MD, MBA, MSc
- Professor of Health Care Policy, Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School
- Professor of Medicine and Practicing Internist, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center
HealthXcelerate is an excellent opportunity to learn more about all aspects of the U.S. health care system. The flexible course framework makes it easier to integrate into my busy work days than other programs.
Request Information
Interested in learning more about this program? Sign up for details.